Despite it being an unpopular and avoided topic, mental health problems affect many Canadians every day. Approximately one in five Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. Mental health problems are just as prominent and concerning as physical health problems and can affect people’s lives regardless of age, income, education and culture.

The onset of a mental illness can be caused by a combination of surrounding lifestyle and environmental factors such as genetics and personality.

While mental health undoubtedly is a tricky subject to approach, not speaking about it at all is even more dangerous. The stigmas surrounding mental health can be so damaging that it prevents people from talking about their issues and seeking necessary help.

Whether it is the concern for how other people will react or see people differently when others know someone struggles with mental illness, there are many factors that discourage people from opening up.

Shelley Sinclair, accessibility counsellor at Fanshawe, understands the barrier that may cause students to delay or completely neglect seeking help altogether.

“Mental health challenges, issues, disabilities, are often invisible disabilities and unfortunately there still is some stigma associated, although I think that it is getting better over time.”

Sinclair also indicated that a large contributor that affects a student’s decision to come in for counselling is that often students don’t realize that there are free services and support available at Fanshawe year round.

“Our office is divided into two areas, so we have personal and academic career counsellors that provide support to any of the 17,000 students that are registered here at the college,” Sinclair explained.

It is important to understand that mental health illnesses are not simply a problem that you can stick a Band-Aid on and everything will be solved on its own.

“If you were a student that had diabetes and was having low blood sugar during class would you come in and say I just need to work really hard to get over that and to not feel faint?” Sinclair asked.

Sinclair explained that medical disabilities are treated differently from mental disabilities and because of that, people with mental disabilities are much harder on themselves.

“It’s not about your willpower or your ability to push through,” Sinclair said.

Mental illnesses are just as real and debilitating as a physical health issue and require just as much attention and education.

One of the best ways that you can help eradicate the stigma associated with mental health is by simply educating yourself and others around you to increase mental health awareness.

“I think the more education that gets out there, the less stigma has a chance to flourish,” Sinclair said.

There are many campaigns in London that you can get involved with, and in the meantime you can expect Fanshawe to continue planning events that allow students to decompress, especially around exam season.

Mental wellness requires a balance in all areas of a person’s life and is unique for everyone, so make sure you take time for yourself and your mental health today.